Few franchises have haunted the screen quite like “Friday the 13th.” But beneath the hockey mask lies a legacy as uneven as it is bloody. From Camp Crystal Lake to outer space to Manhattan, this series has seen it all. This Friday the 13th, I’m ranking all 12 entries.

Let the debates (and blood) begin.

12. ‘Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday’ (1993)

“Jason Goes to Hell” doesn’t belong under the “Friday the 13th” name. While it features some innovative special effects and brutal kills, it completely loses sight of its main character, Jason Voorhees. By shifting focus away from him, the film feels disconnected from the franchise’s identity. This makes it the most confusing, frustrating and disappointing entry in the series.

11. ‘Friday the 13th: A New Beginning’ (1985)

“Friday the 13th: A New Beginning shifts away from the franchise’s traditional setting and loses its identity in the process. It goes in too many wild directions, trying to be different without any real payoff. The tone feels off and inconsistent with the earlier films. This isn’t what I come to a “Friday the 13th” movie for.

10: ‘Friday the 13th Part II’ (1981)

Sackhead Jason gets too much hate, as he’s the perfect mixture of terrifying and hilarious. Still, “Friday the 13th Part II” has far too many plot holes and inconsistencies to be enjoyable. The film plays it overly safe, relying on a rinse-and-repeat formula that fails to surprise.

9. ‘Jason X’ (2002)

“Jason X” is over-the-top in more ways than one, with the bonkers choice to take Jason Voorhees into space. It dives into the sci-fi genre, with this bizarre twist often bordering on parody – full of outdated CGI, underdeveloped characters and outlandish levels of camp. While being so bad that it’s good at times, it ultimately lacks what many of the better “Friday the 13th” films have to offer.

8. ‘Friday the 13th’ (1980)

This is undoubtedly an iconic movie in slasher history, helping to popularize many horror tropes still used today. The summer camp setting is the perfect backdrop for a killer-on-the-loose story, but the film fails to truly capitalize on it. A weak script holds “Friday the 13th” back, making the “big twist” feel more forced than genuinely earned or shocking.

7. ‘Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood’ (1988)

What do you do when ideas run thin? You pit Jason Voorhees against a girl with telekinetic powers, of course. While this installment delivers a decent body count, the kills are surprisingly lifeless. “The New Blood” introduces a wild concept but never fully embraces its weirdness. It’s a missed opportunity because of this.

6. ‘Freddy vs. Jason’ (2003)

This film is fan service on every level, especially for die-hard “Friday the 13th” enthusiasts. On that note, the movie isn’t worried at all about its plot. The story is middling at best, with the Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger connection feeling forced. Still, there’s a lot of entertainment in watching two horror icons collide.

5. ‘Friday the 13th’ (2009)

This is how you do a remake. This “Friday the 13th” entry is actually scary – something most other films in the franchise can’t truly claim. With intense pacing, brutal kills and a darker tone, it reimagines Jason Voorhees in a more menacing and calculated way. While still respecting the original, this adds new layers to make for a surprisingly effective slasher revival.

4. ‘Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan’ (1989)

Everyone complains about this being called “Jason Takes Manhattan” when Jason is only in the Big Apple (well, Vancouver) for about 10 minutes. My take? Who cares. Jason Voorhees terrorizing people on a ship is still more entertaining than most of the franchise. This installment is bad, but… it knows it. Embrace the absurdity and it becomes a fun, campy ride.

3. ‘Friday the 13th Part III’ (1982)

Hot take: the 3D effects in “Friday the 13th Part III” are actually kind of cool. The kills are cheesy, but that’s purposeful and part of the fun. This quirky gimmick gives the third installment a unique flair that the first two lacked. Plus, it introduces Jason’s iconic hockey mask. There’s a lot to enjoy here.

2. ‘Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter’ (1984)

With some of the most inventive kills in the franchise, “The Final Chapter” stands out. It introduces Tommy Jarvis as a compelling protagonist, alongside a more engaging group of side characters. Unlike earlier entries that often felt recycled, this installment is the first that genuinely attempts to tell a riveting story.

1. ‘Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives’ (1986)

Everyone has a different idea of what makes the perfect “Friday the 13th” movie. I lean more toward the comedic side – when done right. That’s why “Jason Lives” just barely edges out “The Final Chapter.” It perfectly balances humor within the characters, clever kills and self-aware story. Plus C.J. Graham absolutely nails it as Jason Voorhees.

From a quality standpoint, the “Friday the 13th” franchise is one of the most unpredictable. The iconic hockey mask still makes Jason Voorhees a horror staple.